Footwear Materials Developer I, Vietnam

Who We Are:

Brooks is a team of passionate people united by a desire to do meaningful work, lead healthy lives and make a difference. We share a focused mission: to inspire everyone to run and be active. That’s it. No distractions—it’s all about the run. Through science, creativity, service, authenticity and connection, we obsess over delivering the best running gear on the planet. We do it our way, with our unique spirit, with a goal of being more relevant to runners than any other brand, day after day and mile after mile. We are determined to innovate, challenging ourselves to lead thought at every turn. Inside these walls and on the roads, tracks and trails, we live and breathe Run Happy, celebrating the positive impact running has on our lives and others. We inject it into all we do because it makes everything better, smarter, more fun and more memorable. Our company culture defines us, bonds us together and creates the conditions for success. It is lived daily as a behavioral expression of our collective set of brand values: Connect with People, Innovate for our Customer, Compete as a Team, Build Trust, Have Fun & Bring Passion, and Be Active. If you’re on our team, it means you’re part of creating something extraordinary. You’re part of Brooks.

Who We Are:

Brooks is a team of passionate people united by a desire to do meaningful work, lead healthy lives and make a difference. We share a focused mission: to inspire everyone to run and be active. That’s it. No distractions—it’s all about the run. Through science, creativity, service, authenticity and connection, we obsess over delivering the best running gear on the planet. We do it our way, with our unique spirit, with a goal of being more relevant to runners than any other brand, day after day and mile after mile. We are determined to innovate, challenging ourselves to lead thought at every turn. Inside these walls and on the roads, tracks and trails, we live and breathe Run Happy, celebrating the positive impact running has on our lives and others. We inject it into all we do because it makes everything better, smarter, more fun and more memorable. Our company culture defines us, bonds us together and creates the conditions for success. It is lived daily as a behavioral expression of our collective set of brand values: Serve People, Lead Thought, Play As a Team, Compete Every Day, Demonstrate Integrity, Have Fun and Be Active. If you’re on our team, it means you’re part of creating something extraordinary. You’re part of Brooks.

Your Job:

As our Footwear Materials Developer I, you’ll carry out the research and development in materials which fuel and support the overall development and design efforts for the footwear team.  You’ll bring new materials to the team and work closely with vendors to ensure that Brooks’ footwear product goals are achieved.  You’ll be involved in the overall process of product creation from idea generation, product design, prototype development, physical testing through commercialization and production.

Your Responsibilites

• Collaborate with Development, Design, and Product Management to develop materials specifications for product functionality, durability and aesthetics, including identifying needs and researching solutions.
• Work collaboratively with vendors (mills/textiles, synthetics, hardware, and other suppliers) to develop materials that align with Brooks’ quality standards, aesthetics, target prices, and availability needs.
• Forecast and quantitate material needs for both samples and production
• Attend material shows, meeting regularly with suppliers for line reviews and traveling to vendors when necessary. 
• Maintain ongoing research and development to create, enhance existing, and re-source materials
• Organize processes and measures that result in timely delivery of quality materials for samples as well as production while also providing an action plan to incorporate to a seasonal calendar
• Ensure that Brooks has accurate complete specification sheets on all materials used in the product line.
• Work with Corporate Sustainability to manage the footwear initiatives pertinent to global laws, business requirements, and consumer expectations
• Oversee coordination and review with Asia materials testing team, to ensure that all materials pass Brooks Sports commercialization process by the specified dates on the seasonal calendar. 
• Review testing with development team to ensure product quality.
• Develop and maintain an organized materials library, complete with up-to-date materials, costing, testing history and specifications. Keep materials updated in our digital materials library (FlexPLM)
• Continuously build advanced materials expertise and work to create a network of contacts within the industry.
• Submit, manage, and give comments on color lab dips.
• Evaluate the risk factors associated with all material developments and communicate them to the product teams.
• Assist with advanced materials R&D projects as necessary.

Reports to:                    Material Manager of Footwear Development 

Department:                 Footwear Development - 36

Position Class:   Exempt, Salaried

Position Location:         Asia- Vietnam 

Brooks Sports, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and our policy is to maintain employment practices that conform to the intent and letter of the laws regarding equal employment opportunity. Brooks is committed to affording equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, sexual preference, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This commitment applies to all phases of the recruitment process including hiring, selection, promotions, transfers, demotions, compensation, benefits, or training. Brooks will endeavor to make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue business hardship or a direct threat to the health or safety of any individual.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, the presence of a sensory, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military status, marital status, pregnancy or child birth, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, or any other non-merit based factors.